Deep Cut, Basement Tapes Human Project

Every so often I do a show with just Human Project stuff. This one is mostly made up of music that has not been released or for sale. Most of it was recorded in my home studio.  It has limitations, especially when it comes to drums, but other than that, I can get a strong sound.  Sometimes I use Conga's or get creative in other ways to make up for it. I like that raw sound I get. I play all the instruments, and some occasions I have my friend Adam, AC Myles come over and he will put a lead track down. This has worked out well, considering no practice goes into it, he just lays it down.  It adds to spontaneousness of it.  The last track, "Connection," is my most recent studio track. I have not done one of these in well over a year.  I talked about this in an earlier blog, but it's a Jagger/Richards tune that was covered by Montrose in 1974. I pattern my cover more after this one.  Very happy with the results. It has not been released for sale yet.

Tracks on the Show

Blowing in The Wind              (Dylan)
Keep it To Yourself
For What It's Worth                 (Stills)
Blues State of Mind
Mescaline Alley
Evil on the Loose
Bad Luck
Hank Didn't Do it This Way    (Jennings)
Vicodin Blues
Connection (NEW STUDIO)  (Jagger-Richards)
Dakota

Link to show:

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/thehumanproject/episodes/2018-06-29T13_44_43-07_00


Thanks for your support of Human Project Music.  Appreciate ya where ever you are all around the globe.

http://www.humanrocks.net

6 CD's Released 2006-2017

Plug in and Crank it up

The Human uses Fender Guitars and Amps

Peace

Human Project Discography

Loyd Vandergriff aka "The Human," recorded his first CD in 2006 called The Real Stuff.  He had not played seriously at all for well over 30 years when he started messin around again.  This first "just for fun" effort hit with a bang in Switzerland and other places, got him a big gig at Stanford University and ultimately into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2010 as a representative from Clovis, CA.  Given all this, The Human decided to write and record another CD, "Human Project II, Humanize" in 2008.  He considers this one of his best efforts.  Due to a small but loyal international fan following, he just kept going.  His most recent effort was 2017's "Humanize."  This CD has continued the momentum established by earlier releases and his download sales every month are strong.  He continues to write and has many songs "in the can."  You never know when "The Human," will release another one.

The Real Stuff 2006
Hit big in Switzerland put him on map in a small way.

Human Project II Humanized 2008
Follow up to The Real Stuff
Mastered at Sterling Sound NYC

Best of HP + 4 new tracks 2010

Last Train Out. 2011

Human's Last Stand 2014

Humanize 2017

Human Project Fans are very discerning people that are persistent in

their efforts to find good music on the web. The Human is grateful

they stumbled across his stuff.

http://www.humanprojectmusic.com

Updates. Response to "Connection."

Pleased with response to my new song "Connection."  Again, very different for me, (especially being a cover)  but sometimes different is good and refreshing.  I am not releasing it as single just sitting on it. You never know, it might go on a new CD, or later might appear as a single. I am keeping my options open.

One of the best compliments I got yesterday was from Jeff Sanders who mastered it. He also mastered 2017 "Humanize." He said, "I enjoy working on your stuff. You don't sound like anybody else."  Awesome coming from a man with a resume like he has. Check it out. Stevie Wonder, Bachman Turner Over Drive, Eric Burden and War, REO Speedwagon, Jefferson Starship on and on.
He is semi retired now, but does take on "select" clients. You can damn sho count The Human as one of em.

https://www.discogs.com/artist/382705-Jeff-Sanders


If you didn't hear Connection yet, you can check it out here, the first song on Human's Show on Podomatic.  (done the show for 8 years. do it for fun. Play tracks from personal collection)

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/thehumanproject/episodes/2018-06-26T07_47_06-07_00

Human's show has a broad base of countries that check in to listen and download. Here are some that checked in yesterday. USA, Turkey, Netherlands, Russia, Georgia, Spain, Nigeria, Sweden, Brazil, UK, Belgium, Italy, South Africa, Ireland, Japan.

This was from last show.

Real Music

For Real People

Get Humanized

Royalty Check From CD Baby

I get these because you, the fans..download my music.

"We are all in this together."

http://www.humanrocks.net

Connection

The Human's decision to record "Connection."

Connection of course is a Rolling Stones song. The lyrics are mostly by Keith Richards. It is on "Between the Buttons," released in 1967.  It's about being stranded in an airport and can't get no Connection. (Everything is going....in the wrong direction)  Of course Keith has his bags full of drugs and is worried about getting busted. (again) The reference to the Dr. wanting to give them more and more injections refers to all the situations you face regarding health when you travel to other countries, so immunizations are needed. And of course in the end, all he wants to do is, "get back to you." You assume a loved one.

In 1974, this song was included on the Montrose LP "Paper Money." The Human, being a big Montrose fan, had recently purchased a remastered copy.  Their version of "Connection," grabbed him. Struck a chord with him to the point where he started wondering about recording it.  He sent the track to Jerry Leal at Pyramid Studio in Fresno where he recorded his last CD Humanize, and asked him what he thought about it. He said, "I got a guy who can handle this track." A week or so went by and The Human finally said, lets do it.

Rich Willimech of Fresno, and a friend/partner of Jerry Leal got to work on it and brought some of the basic tracks in.  The Human was very impressed at the quality.  He knew he had his work cut out laying a solid vocal to go with it.  And the intial scratch vocal was real rough around the edges and timing and phrasing needed much work. He got the track from Jerry, stopped listening to the Sammy Hager vocal and just started working his own with the song. He also started to feel and see places where harmonies could really punch up the song and give it much more soul and feeling. A Human trademark in his music is the use of properly placed powerful harmonies to add to the power of the track.  The main vocal track took a couple of sessions to finally get it right.  Sharon-Jordan Leal was brought in to add more soul to the harmonies and put icing on the cake with her killer vocal work. These harmonies do add power and soul, and create an ambience not found in Montrose version.  Rick Willimitch added some smoky harmonica in key places to further add to the ambiance. The Harmonies at the end blended with the raw reverb soaked harmonica take the song to new heights in the most subliest of ways.   In the end, Human's version of Connection stands with all others.  A powerful, soulful tour de force. So enjoy this nugget from The Human Project. It was fun to make and work with this group of  talented people, and their  contributions shine on the track. Power and emotion. Personified.

The people involved with Connection are:

Rick Willimitch Guitars, Bass, Drums, Harmonica

The Human Vocals, harmonies, percussion.

Sharon Jordan Leal back-up vocals, harmonies

Jerry Leal Engineer

The track is produced by The Human and Jerry Leal.

Recorded the last 2 weeks of May, 2018.

Pyramid Studio, Fresno, CA

Connection is not for sale on any music distributions sites 

at this time.

YOU CAN HEAR DEBUT OF TRACK HERE

https://thehumanproject.podomatic.com/


The Human Project
Real Music
Real Fans

Peace

Video of the Week. Random Musings

Hey Human Project Fans.

Video of The Week is "Backroads." It's about growing up in a small rural agricultural community that indeed had plenty of backroads.  They were awesome for cruising around on and drinking cold beer and listening to music.  Is this song kinda autobiographical? Maybe.  In todays society "backroads," are harder and harder to find, and even if you do its unlikely you could enjoy them like in back in the day. :)  This song is a very popular Human Project Track, always in top 10 of download sales every month.  It is on 2017 CD "Humanize."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTY_nEV5lI8


Human's new song (cover) Connection has been mastered and he will open up his next podcast with it. It will not be for sale for awhile yet.

These Good Ole Backroads, treat me right.

A Physical Copy of Humanize can be purchased here:

https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/thehumanproject22

6 CD's Released from 2006-2017

Real Music.

Real Fans.

Peace.

Highway 58 and Misc

Hey Friends and Fans.
My song Highway 58 from 2017's "Humanize," has been doing well and getting lots of airplay on various platforms.  So, what exactly is this song about?

If you are familiar with the Central Valley of California, you know all about Highway 99. It cuts through the heart of the valley from Fresno to Bakersfield. If you want to go to Las Vegas, in Bakersfield you take the Hwy 58 E. exit in Bakersfield toward Mojave. Head towards Tehachapi in the mountains.  Keep truckin towards Mojave and Barstow. Eventually you will hit Hwy 15 E to Vegas. But you got some interesting sites along the way in towns like Baker. Mercy. UFO city. Boron.
20 Mule team, a big deal in the 50's.  Just kinda of a trippy drive, especially at night. So that is what Highway 58 is all about. But in this case the guy is driving it alone and all is not well with him. He is coming out of a bad relationship and life is not the best for him right now. (He's got feelin's he can't shake)  The song describes the road, the ambiance, the environment along the way.  He knows Vegas has some things that can cure his ill's, at least temporarily.  So, he is on Highway 58.  To get da cure.

Recorded in the spring of 2017 at Pyramid Studio in Fresno, CA.
Words and Music by The Human.

Highway 58 Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDTs6vYcMiA

20 Mule Team Borox

Human Project Fans are the best.

Peace.

Podcast. New Video

Hello Human Project fans. Hot as hell in Central Valley of California.  100 at almost 7PM.
Worse tommorrow.  Hope all good with ya.  Some news:

1)  I just heard pre-mastered copy of new song I did a few weeks back called "Connection."  It's a Stones tune, but I patterned my version after Montrose from Paper Money in 1974.  I did enough to it to make it my own with good harmonies and the Human touch I always put on stuff.  Not sure what I will do with track yet, but for sure will play it on future podcast in the near future.

2)  I have a couple of Human Project tracks on my new podcast I did today.  They open the show, so you don't have to wait long. If you are in party mood, just listen to the whole thang. Here is da link.

https://thehumanproject.podomatic.com/

3) I updated my song "Evil on the Loose," and made a new video to go with it.  I don't care for intolerance, hate, bigotry and extremism so I go after it and call it out.  You can check it out here if ya like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNxyAADxzmA&t=147s


Appreciate my fans world-wide.  I fly hot and heavy under they radar, but  you keep me going and keep my music out there.  After all you are the real fans that like real music.


Peace and Love to Ya.

The Human

6 CD' released from 2006-2017.

http://www.humanrocks.net

TGIF Miscellaneous

Happy Weekend.

Going camping up in Kings Canyon National Park. 3 hour drive from Clovis, CA. Love it there.

Kings River flows by campsite.  Big Redwoods. Beautiful Mountains. People come from all over the world. Still use a tent and good air mattress.  Too many people with generators now..the new generation...they are running and spoiling the ambiance of nature.  Rookies.

View From Campsite

That's Kings River

Yep Trout.

Campsites all along here.

Typical set-up

Good fishing and good hiking

Put up new video to go with Blowin in the wind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mprPxU8JQS0&t=121s

Peace

Everyone have a wonderful weekend.

http://www.humanrocks.net

Music, Philosophy. Random Musings.

How does a relatively obscure artist that lives in a quiet town in the Central Valley of California manage to sell quite a bit of music domestically and internationally?

Nothing happens overnight.  Lots of work goes into all the songs.  Attention to detail. Attention to the small things that go into a track. Shakers, harmonies, balance. Emphasis on quality. Emphasis on uniqueness.

Good lyrics.  Lyrics that tell stories people can relate too. Things they have done. Things they have thought about doing.  Things that make them smile. No cheesy lyrics. No fluff. No songs clearly put out that are shallow and superficial that an 8th grader could write.  Human songs and lyrics come from living through interesting times. Listening to tons of music over the years. Going through many life experiences. It all surfaces one way or another in the music.

Marketing, Persistence. Consistency. I take no one or nothing for granted. I promote my music on many different sites. I take no site for granted. Even on sites where I get little response, I promote it there. You know why? Many still read it. They may choose for whatever reason not to comment, but they read it.  You can't sell shit if you don't take time to promote it.  I take no fan for granted. Anyone that takes the time to make a comment on my music, I thank them personally.  They are fans. They are the ones that buy and download the music. They deserve respect. They spread the word.

Unique rhythm guitar and style. While The Human is not an A List guitar player especially lead, his rhythm style makes and helps define his songs. Many have told him this. There is no Human Project without his rhythm guitar work, lyrics, and production and arrangement of each song.  It is unique, a big reason for sales of his music.

Nothing really happens overnight.  Unless you are lucky. Have a big label to back you, that throws marketing muscle behind you.  Have management. (can be shaky)  The Human has not played live in years (that's another blog lol) While this would certainly help promote and spread his music, he still manages to sell.  He compensates by paying attention to everything he has written about here.

So here we are. 6 CD's released from 2006-2017.  This has only happened because the music is noticed.  That is a driving force to continue on.  So, thanks to the fans for taking time to listen. Appreciate.  Purchase.  In one way or another, efforts will be made to keep da Human Project stuff flowing your way.

Peace

The Human was nominated by an artist from Louisiana soon after the release

of The Real Stuff in 2006.  Award was granted soon after.

The Human 2017.

http://www.humanrocks.net

Blowin in the Wind

For some reason I decided to listen to Bob Dylan's "Blowin in the Wind," the other day. I was struck by the lyrics and even moved by them.  Much of what he is writing about in 1962, well... its still "blowin in the wind today." Even worse.  Not a very good commentary on progress of our world as a civilization and as a people.  Wars. Hate. Intolerance. Much driven by religion. A paradox? Yeah.

I took a crack at the song. It is rough around the edges, has blemishes and imperfections.  But I just wanted to do it. I am printing the lyrics below.  In the year 2018, things should not still....be "blowin in the wind." My version can be found here on my podomatic show today.
Peace.

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/thehumanproject/episodes/2018-06-10T04_31_03-07_00

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Bob Dylan

First CD The Real Stuff

Most of you know The Human Played in bands during high school from 1967-1969.  The Anonymous Five, Trans Love Airway, and Black Earth. All these bands were excellent. Often times they were paired with bigger older groups.  They opened for The Commonwealth in Hanford in 1967. The Commonwealth was fronted by Tom Johnston who went on to Doobie Brother fame.  After High School. Loyd went off to college and the music from a playing standpoint was over for him. Oh he still listened to plenty, but no more giggin. So from approxiamately 1969-2004 The Human was inactive and not playing. This is a 45 year period.  In 2004 he met some guys in his neighborhood and he was invited to jam with them. This this started the ball rolling toward him playing again. He met a few key players. He purchased a Boss BR 1600 that had 8 tracks and a drum machine and he started writing using this. He had no idea of the songs were anygood or not. His guitar chops were, to say the least...rusty.  In a few months time he had written Jimmy's Juke Joint, Ridin This Train, Red Vette Roll, Standing in the Shadows, Working Too Hard, Hi Fallutin Momma and Headin for Tennessee.
So he decided to roll the dice and go into a recording studio with them.  Some of the guys he had been jamming with he took with him.  The sessions that went down in 2006 became The Real Stuff.
He sent it to Gateway Mastering in Portland, Maine and Adam Ayan mastered it and it has a nice warm sound. Once this CD was put into distribution channels The Human was in for a surprise, because it hit pretty big in Europe, especially Be Goode Records in Bern, Switzerland.  So, The Human was off and running temporarily at least.  He took some gigs at Stanford and some local gigs. but chemistry with some band members caused this temporary roll to grind to a halt from a playing live perspective.  But understand that The Real Stuff is an excellent CD. Raw, and da good Human lyrics and driving beats. It also would catapult him forward to the next one, Human Project II, Humanize in 2008 that he will discuss in a future blog.

Track Listing:

Hi Fallutin Momma
Ridin This Train
Headin For Tennessee
Stormy Night In Texas
Jimmy's Juke Joint
Workin Too Hard
Standing in the Shadows
Red Vette Roll

All of these tracks are available at spotify, ITunes and all distribution sites. The physical CD is available at CDBaby.  If you know the human at all he will send you one signed for $20.00. There are not many copies of The Real Stuff left. It is becoming a collectors item.

The Real Stuff 2006

Link to The Real Stuff Physical CD.
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/humanrocks2

The Human has a really good core fan base. They dig his style and lyrics that tell good stories. No cheesy lyrics..its real music. Over time fans world-wide will sniff out good music like they did The Human.  His fans are the best.

http://www.humanrocks.net

Video of the Week

Taliban Man

The Human has started to put up what he calls a YouTube "Video of the Week."  Of course it will feature one of his songs. Last week he put up "Politics."  This week the video is based on his song "Taliban Man." written in and around 2009.  The song gives a bit of visual history surrounding the Afghan war and The Taliban.  This was a hard track for the Human to release.  He keeps it low key as he can. He does have some fear of reprisals in some form because of it.  He points the mindset of The Taliban. He points out some of our involvement in Vietnam, there are parallels. Then he points out our effort there and why this also takes on a Vietnam like aura.  The poignant last line sums it all up.
"And Taliban Man just sits and waits. Just like the Cong he filled with hate." 17 years there. We just keep sending our men and women over despite and campaign or political rhetoric you might here.
Our youth and students, not sure they can point out Afghanistan on a map. Not sure they understand the politics surrounding the war. The Geo-Political history of the region. Might help. Yes I taught all that.

Friends and fans of The Human Project, Enjoy Taliban Man from Best of the Human Project 2010.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eGe6hp4QcM

This track was recorded on a Boss BR 1600 digital recorder in his home studio. The Human Plays all the instruments.


The Human taught High School history and government from 1975-1995.

The Human Project

6 CD's Released.

2006-2017

Get on board The Human Project Train.

Real Music.

http://www.humanrocks.net

Peace

History of the Human Project

This is a cool YouTube Video kinda outlining a visual history of The Human Project.  It really started in about 2005.  "The Human," got the nickname in is early 20's. He was a live wire, always had good music. Knew all the lyrics. A force of nature when it came to partying and cranking up tunes.  So late one night, one of his friends called him THE Human and it stuck.  When he goes into a recording studio no matter who he takes in,  the result is called The Human Project. He writes all the songs, produces, or co-produces, finances and markets all of it.  100% of his success comes from you. The fans.  It's a damn cool story.


History of The Human Project

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OAlz5U198k

The Human

6 CD's released.

2006-2017.

A small army of cool fans.  

It's a damn good time.